1st Fill Help!!!

I had surgery on Aug 1st, I had my first fill on Sept. 12th. I have lost 12 lbs. Before the fill I was starting to feel more hungry and was ready. Now that I have my fill I feel more hungry. The first fill was difficult as the port was not easy to find. Could I have a leak? Could something have been punctured trying to find the port? Does it take a while to feel the restriction? I cannot have another fill until 2 weeks and I feel so hungry, I don't want to gain the weight I lost. Any bandsters have similiar experiences. Would appreciate any advice or ideas. Tricia 

Sorry you are going through this. with my first fill they didn't get me to that perfect restriction it took 3 fills to do that.  I felt hungry allot, but the second fill went better and then the third was the one that got me the perffect restriction. I went in for a fourth about 6 months later. It just sometimes takes a couple to get you to that place. I was very discouraged in the beginning when this happened to me but it is a gradual process which does suck. Hang in there Tara

Thank you I appreciate the information. Sincerely, tricia

Hey, have you found the lap band forum yet?  If not, here's a link: http://www.obesityhelp.com/forums/LapBand/a,messageboard/boa rd_id,5359/. There's a really great group of people there so definitely drop by. Ok, now that THAT'S out of the way... It IS possible to feel more hungry after the fill.  You're back on solid foods and getting more experienced in eating and chewing and making the band work properly.  Because of this food is being digested and processed more efficiently so it doesn't physically rest as long in the upper stomach so you don't get the "I'm full" warning sent to the brain. It is also NOT uncommon for a fill to kick in several weeks (typically about two weeks out) from the time of the fill.  My last fill (in October 2006) actually kicked in in mid-January 2007 -- odd, I agree, and very unusual). Whatever you do, DON'T rush your fills.  You need to have a chance to let your stoma heal and for your body to adjust to the new fill level.  If you feel hungry, eat.  But make healthy food choices.  Just monitor how much you eat. Now, I don't know about you, but I've never felt full since I was banded.  Some people get warnings that they call soft stops (like a small cough, a runny nose, or hiccups).  I don't.  I just stop eating after 30 minutes.  If I'm still hungry, I'll eat a bit more.  I usually find that I'm more than satisfied and that I'd started to actually play with my food.  You may be experiencing some of that, too. As far as a leak is concerned, it is always a possibility.  The biggest chance of developing a leak is either from a tube puncture (during a fill -- which is why you want someone who has a lot of experience to access your port not someone trying for the very first time) or if the tubing wasn't quite securely fastened.  Both are still relatively uncommon.  As far as complications are concerned, though, I'd rather have a leak than almost any other complication.  It is relatively easy to fix.  But I'm fairly certain you don't have a leak at all. Typically it takes between 4 to 6 fills to reach an adequate restriction level.  Immediately post op (once I was used to eating solids again) I was able to still eat a 12 inch sub sandwich.  Now I can't even eat a regular bread sized sandwich.  Its not me, its the restriction. You just don't want to go too fast with fills.  You never know when the last fill might kick in.  Another piece of advice:  band restriction seems to be affected by emotions for a lot of people.  My band actually did the tightening thing in mid-January after I was dealing with my friend having to put her kitty to sleep.  It was very emotional. I don't know if I've managed to help you or not... Lori

Lori, Thank you your information helped me. I always wonder why they want us to wait 2 weeks before another fill. Now I know why. I do not feel restriction, but I don't feel as hungry as I did right after the fill.  I went to a specialist (Dr. Yarbrough) and it did take him along time to find the port. it seems like everything from my surgery to fills was a little complicated :o). I agree with you on the emotions. I could not eat when I was upset before and I really can't eat now if I get upset. I guess I should be glad I have not gained weight. I keep telling myself I am blessed to have this band as some people are still fighting their insurance companies. Mine was simple. Thank you for the support and I will continue to be positive  on this new experience. I'm glad this site exists. Thanks again, Tricia